To thine own self be true

ornery non-vaxxers don’t care about themselves, their friends, families, and children and are personally prepared to risk or spread serious illness, hospitalization or death.

Vaxxers, on the other hand, respect the rights of others to live safely and have the common sense and respect for facts and science to get the vaccines for their own personal health and survival.

One route extends and exacerbates the pandemic; the other route is more hopeful that the pandemic will one day end if people will get vaccinated for the society and the greater good of all.

In grade 5, Mrs. Shaw’s class was studying Canadian history and she initiated a virtual run from Winnipeg to Vancouver. If you wished–on recess, before class, and at noon-hour, you could run laps around the school field. I recall that 4 laps equalled a mile and our progress was recorded on a large map. (I think we got as far as the Rockies before the year ended. Later that summer, I would take my first train trip to the coast lapping up those last real miles to the coast.)

Murray was a quiet guy and kept to himself, but still waters ran deep. He really got into the run and ran further than any of the rest of us. One noon-hour in the rain, students were congregated at the top of the steps of the old Bannatyne School (now long gone). From there, we were amazed by Murray who, beyond our understanding and appreciation, ran around the field by himself in the rain chalking up something like 17-20 laps before returning to the school steps where he collapsed breathless as the bell ran and we closed in around him as he whispered how many miles he had run for the class.

In another time, he and I had once been very close and we played hockey in his dusty basement with sawhorses for goals. We shared 45s and I played him oldies like “Alley Oop” and “Mission Bell”. Our last venture was to attend a symphony concert downtown on Easter break. We were to meet at the bus stop, but he didn’t show up. Somehow we had gotten our signals confused, so I went by myself. Things were never the same after that.

Today I thought of him again and found his obituary online from 2018. He was a nice, quiet guy and his adult life as described here sounds the Murray I used to know. I’m glad he was able to find as much happiness in his life as he later did after the tragic passing of his mother…
………………………………………..

MURRAY ….. It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our brother, Murray, on February 21, 2018 at the age of 68 in his home….Born in Winnipeg on May 28, 1949, Murray later moved to Glenboro, Manitoba where he owned and operated the town bakery for many years, making wonderful bread and amazing cakes and pastries. In recent years he lived in Brandon, Manitoba. Murray loved nature, being outdoors and taking long rides in the country. He was an avid football and hockey fan. Some of his other interests were dogs, bird watching, and cars; having a fantastic memory, he always amazed us with being able to tell us virtually any fact or figure about all of these. He will be remembered as a very compassionate and caring person who would help out anyone. We will always love you, Murray.
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And I will miss you, too, Murray, still amazed by your fantastic running ability and happy for you at how you followed your own bliss in your adult years. My regrets are many and would include not tasting your amazing cakes and pastries, not watching another game with you on the tube, and going for a ride together in the country like pals again.

Rest in peace, old friend.

returning to the profession, provincial governments are trying to import more nurses. Quebec is even advertising in several other countries. (I imagine some people will come for the chance of better living conditions and higher salaries. If bonuses are offered, that may help matters.)

In Alberta, fewer nurses will likely mean UCP shuts down beds, wards, and perhaps even hospitals which will lead to more crises. Certainly, Kenney is not likely to offer any kind of bonuses or higher wages for such vital, dangerous work. (Too stoopid again, of course.)

Frankly, the health care system is already broken in this province and given the number of surgery cancellations (5000?), it’s not going to get any better. I would also predict that too many doctors will retire and that nursing home staff will exit, refusing to get Covid shots. Lord, help us all!

or so it seemed a while back when a mysterious envelope turned up on my front step apparently for me. I eventually opened it up to find that some agent 3 hours away thought Alphonso lived here! (One look at me would have revealed the not-so-likelihood.)

Anyway he was suggesting that he would be the best agent to represent the up and coming phenom who was being courted by Europe at the time. The edgy letter also contained flattery and promises.

Then there was a second note which led to me emailing the agent to cease and desist with this craziness. He apologized sheepishly and eventually Alphonso was signed (by someone else I suspect) and went to play in Europe.

Now, of course, he is also a Canadian soccer star from Edmonton, internationally known and worshipped. I have appreciated seeing and hearing my surname all over the media after the Panama defeat thanks to Alphonso, but I’m sticking to my story above.

No, he is not my son. Though we came real close one time, much closer than most people.

for using a cane she needs to walk.
No, no one is given any respect anymore, especially eminent personages. There are, no doubt, crazy ‘politically correct’ Canadians out there who would like to pour a can of red paint over her; politics have become that sick.

have suggested that older people as well as patients with comorbidities ‘deserved’ to die because they were of a certain age. i.e. older.

Hinshaw speaks and sounds like a robot, an automaton, a machine. Callous and unfeeling as in the case of her cold reference to the boy who recently died of cancer, not Covid (as she falsely reported), she should be stripped of her license. She’s caused enough/too many deaths with her wrong predictions.

I like how CNIB states that it automatically takes courage in attitude if one is blind. And that the challenge must needs facilitate an independent spirit. Certainly courage and an independent spirit would be basic for anyone with a challenge like this, enhancing his or her dignity as well, making them more equal persons with character and integrity.

burned down (Lytton) or poisoned (Iqaluit).”
-RD

on the streets of Edmonton.”
-RD